Meta is expanding its push beyond smartphones with a new range of hardware, unveiling lightweight virtual reality glasses, camera-free AI glasses and a compact AI device called Muse Charm at its annual Connect 2026 event.
The announcements reflect Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s broader vision of making AI-powered glasses and wearable devices a bigger part of everyday computing.
Meta’s new VR glasses
Meta introduced its new Meta VR Glasses, a lightweight virtual reality headset weighing around 100 grams. The device features a 5K display, full-colour passthrough and support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
The glasses work with a separate computing puck powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Reality Elite platform. Meta says the device can offer up to three hours of battery life and is expected to ship in spring 2027. The headset is priced at $1,299.
Camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses
One of the major announcements was the Ray-Ban Meta Audio, Meta’s first AI glasses without a camera.
The glasses weigh just 43 grams and are designed primarily around audio and AI features. Users can listen to music and podcasts, make calls and interact with Meta’s AI assistant without taking out their phones.
Meta says the glasses can deliver up to 12 hours of battery life, with the charging case providing an additional 48 hours. They are available in Clubmaster and Burbank styles, with 23 colour and lens combinations.
Pre-orders start at $349, with shipments scheduled to begin on October 13.
The decision to remove the camera comes as Meta continues to face concerns around privacy and the recording capabilities of smart glasses. Meta, however, continues to offer cameras on its higher-end Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 glasses.
Meta Gen 3 Ray-Tires
Meta also unveiled the next generation of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 features a slimmer design, longer battery life and a new customisable action button for quick access to Meta AI. It comes with a 12MP camera capable of recording 3K Ultra HD video and a six-microphone array designed to improve voice calls and commands.
The glasses offer up to nine hours of battery life and come in 27 colour and lens combinations across three styles. Prices start at $449.
Meta VR Glasses ($1,299): Not yet available in India. They are planned for spring 2027.
Muse Charm: No confirmed India launch yet. Meta has not announced its India availability or price.
Meet Muse Charm
Meta also introduced Muse Charm, a small, portable device built around the company’s Muse personal AI agent.
The keychain-sized device is designed to give users a way to interact with Muse without relying entirely on a smartphone. Reports say the device includes a small display, speakers, microphones and a fingerprint sensor.
Meta has not yet announced a price for Muse Charm, but the device is expected to ship in December.
Meta’s Muse AI agent is designed to assist users with everyday tasks and interact with their personal information and applications. Meta says the technology will also be integrated into its AI glasses, allowing users to access the assistant hands-free.
Meta’s push beyond smartphones
With its latest hardware lineup, Meta is positioning glasses and wearable devices as a growing part of its AI strategy. The company is expanding its range of AI glasses while also introducing devices designed to make its Muse AI agent accessible beyond traditional screens.
The camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio glasses, new Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 and Meta VR Glasses represent different approaches to Meta’s vision of wearable computing, while Muse Charm adds another form factor for interacting with its AI assistant.